The first group of workers, some of the females within the community, a representative from the NIC (National Institute of Culture), representatives from Poqen Kanchay and a local shaman, all gathered together in front of the principle huaca "Quillarumiyoc" to make a despacho (sacred offering) in order to begin the work.

The indigenous people of the Andes use despachos to ask permission to begin big projects, ask the grace of  Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (Sacred Mountains), and request their assistance in making all efforts of this project flower in their best light.

After the full despacho was made, some of the coals from a special fire were used to cleanse the hole before the entire despacho was buried.

After the despacho ceremony, everyone shared in a toast with chicha, the local beverage made from sprouted corn.  Then the cleansing of the terraces began.